Robert Constable

ID 54323Jul 28, 1978

The knowledge of God is attainable through diligent seeking, as illustrated by the biblical figures of Job and Daniel, who experienced God personally through trials and faithfulness. True knowledge of God transcends mere theological understanding or outward religious activity, as highlighted by Jesus' warning in Matthew 7:21-23 against those who claim to know Him but do not do His will. Those who truly know God exhibit strength, boldness, and contentment, as exemplified by Daniel's unwavering commitment to God in a foreign land and Paul's declaration in Philippians 3:8 that knowing Christ surpasses all earthly gain. Ultimately, knowing God is achieved by following Jesus, trusting in His Word, appropriating His gifts, and allowing Him to work in our lives, leading to a profound and transformative relationship.

ID 54322Jul 27, 1978

The God of Moses reveals God's desire to be known through His actions and His covenant relationship with His people. The sermon highlights God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush, introducing Himself as Jehovah, the God who is and who becomes all His people need. It contrasts the Gentile concept of God derived from nature with the Hebrew understanding based on divine revelation and God's mighty acts, such as the Exodus and the giving of the Law. The message emphasizes that God's primary purpose in these events was to make Himself known, leading people to trust Him, as exemplified by the fear and awe inspired in the inhabitants of Canaan and the eventual faith of Jethro. Ultimately, knowing God through His revealed character and actions is presented as the foundation for human trust and relationship with Him.

ID 54320Jul 26, 1978

The God of Jacob is presented as a disciplining Father who works through our circumstances to accomplish His will. The sermon traces Jacob's life, from his deceptive beginnings and flight from Esau, through his wrestling with God at Peniel where he was renamed Israel, to his eventual transformation into a man who blessed others. This narrative illustrates that God's faithfulness and purpose are realized not by our own cleverness or strength, but through His patient discipline and our surrender to Him. The ultimate lesson is that God chooses us, works in us despite our flaws, and brings us to a fruitful life when we learn to trust and depend on Him.

ID 54319Jul 25, 1978

The God of Isaac is presented as the divine giver, contrasting with the God of Abraham who was a demander. Isaac's life, characterized by submission and acceptance, illustrates how to receive God's provisions and blessings. Unlike Abraham, who was an originator and faced many trials, Isaac was a follower who inherited his father's blessings and experienced God's provision without striving. It emphasizes that salvation, sanctification, and the Christian life itself are not earned through works but are received as free gifts from a loving God, mirroring Isaac's passive reception of his father's inheritance. The core lesson is learning to receive from God, as demonstrated by Isaac's life and the promise that God will provide, enabling believers to live by faith rather than by effort.

ID 54317Jul 24, 1978

The God of Abraham is presented as a God who calls individuals to leave their familiar lives and trust in His promises, even when those promises seem impossible or His reasons are unclear. The sermon traces Abraham's journey from Ur, highlighting his obedience in leaving his homeland, his struggles with famine and deception in Egypt, and his eventual return to faith and communion with God. It emphasizes that God does not require perfect understanding but a faithful response, and that He remains committed to His people despite their failures, ultimately testing Abraham's devotion through the near-sacrifice of Isaac to reveal that God Himself is the greatest reward.

ID 54315Jul 23, 1978

Our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, serves in heaven as our minister of the sanctuary, interceding for us and acting on our behalf. The sermon illustrates his priestly functions by examining his miracles in Cana (changing water to wine, symbolizing a new quality of life), at Bethesda (healing the infirm, showing compassion and breaking limitations), walking on water (coming to us in storms and bringing peace), healing the blind man (bringing spiritual sight), raising Lazarus (bringing life from death), and his prayer for believers' sanctification and unity. These examples demonstrate his power to transform, heal, comfort, enlighten, resurrect, and intercede, ultimately leading us to share in his joy and glory.

ID 54254Date unavailable

Elisha's life demonstrates that even in ordinary circumstances, God can bring about extraordinary results through obedient lives. The sermon highlights several miracles from Elisha's ministry, including the floating axe head, which illustrates that lost opportunities are not final and God cares about the details of our lives. It also touches on the miraculous revival from Elisha's bones, emphasizing that a life lived for God can continue to bring life to others even after death. The core lesson is that God is ready to bless those who respond to Him with obedience, making their lives fruitful and impactful.

ID 54251Date unavailable

The story of the Shunammite woman from 2 Kings 4 to illustrate the blessings that come from selfless hospitality and unwavering faith. The narrative follows her kindness to the prophet Elisha, which leads to the miraculous gift of a son, and then her determined pursuit of Elisha when that son dies. Her faith is shown to be paramount as she seeks answers directly from God's word and insists on Elisha's personal intervention, ultimately leading to her son's resurrection. The message concludes by emphasizing that God rewards faithfulness and that trusting Him completely, even in impossible situations, brings about His mighty works.

ID 54249Date unavailable

Elisha's ministry transformed Jericho from a cursed place into a place of blessing, illustrating that believers should engage with the world's needs rather than isolating themselves. Later, at Bethel, the mockery of children, reflecting their parents' cynicism towards the supernatural, led to divine judgment, highlighting the importance of parents teaching children about God's wonders. Finally, Elisha demonstrated God's provision for a widow by multiplying her small pot of oil, teaching that obedience and making room for God's blessing leads to abundance and the fulfillment of needs.

ID 54248Date unavailable

Elisha's life demonstrates that God's power and presence continue through His servants even after their mentors depart. When Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha, though initially overwhelmed by grief and responsibility, invoked the God of Elijah and used Elijah's mantle to miraculously part the Jordan River, proving God's continued power. Later, Elisha demonstrated God's healing power by purifying the waters of Jericho with salt, showing that even seemingly insignificant acts of obedience can lead to significant blessings. The sermon emphasizes that believers are called to use the spiritual 'mantle' left to them by Christ and to obey God's word, trusting that He will work through them to bring healing and fruitfulness to the world.

ID 54247Date unavailable

The life of Elisha, a prophet who performed more miracles than any other Old Testament figure except Jesus, is presented as a testament to God's persistent grace. Unlike the dramatic and judgment-focused ministry of his predecessor Elijah, Elisha's work was characterized by quiet healing and restoration, demonstrating God's enduring patience and willingness to bless. Elisha's willing sacrifice of his prosperous farm life, symbolized by his joyful response to Elijah's call and the celebratory feast he held, illustrates a profound willingness to serve God even in menial tasks and unpopular circumstances. This willingness to identify with God's purpose, even at personal cost, serves as a model for believers to embrace God's call with gladness and aspire to reflect Christ's character.

ID 54244Jul 23, 1978

God's persistent call to humanity is the central theme, emphasizing that He actively seeks to draw people to Himself through infinite love and wisdom. The sermon explains that God calls because humans are lost, sinful, and in great need, but also because He loves them and desires them to share in His life and happiness. Various means of God's calling are explored, including nature, history, the prophets, Jesus' parables, and the Holy Spirit, all illustrating His desire for redemption. The message warns against refusing God's call, highlighting the severe consequences of such rejection, including God's eventual laughter at calamity and refusal to hear pleas for help, ultimately urging listeners to respond to His gracious offer of life and rest.

ID 54243Mar 18, 1983

The book of Deuteronomy reveals God's love as the primary motive for His actions and government towards humanity. Moses' final discourses in Deuteronomy review Israel's history, emphasizing that God's faithfulness and redemptive acts stemmed from His deep love, not their merit. This love is presented as the foundation for obedience, urging believers to respond to God's unwavering affection with their own wholehearted love and service. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to embrace this truth, recognizing that God's actions in their lives are driven by His enduring love, and to express their love through obedience.

ID 54241Mar 10, 1967

The continuing work of Christ is demonstrated through the Apostle Paul's missionary efforts in Europe, beginning with his arrival in Philippi. Despite facing opposition and imprisonment, the gospel's advance is shown to be driven by Christ working through His people, not by human strength. The sermon highlights how God uses seemingly small beginnings, like the conversion of Lydia and the jailer, to achieve His purposes, emphasizing that true victory lies in praising God amidst suffering and in His ultimate deliverance. The narrative underscores that God's power overcomes all obstacles, whether through alliance or antagonism, leading to the eventual conquest of the Roman Empire by the gospel.

ID 54240Mar 10, 1967

The continuing work of Christ is demonstrated through the Holy Spirit's empowerment of believers, as recorded in the Book of Acts. The sermon highlights that Pentecost marked a new era, not as a response to past failures, but as the fulfillment of God's plan, enabling believers to participate in Christ's ongoing mission. This empowerment allows believers to live out Christ's crucified, resurrected, and ascended life, multiplying His presence and work throughout the world. The message emphasizes that the limitations of this age are not in Christ's resources but in the church's willingness to fully embrace and manifest His Spirit.

ID 54237Mar 6, 1967

The continuation of Christ's work is accomplished through believers empowered by the Holy Spirit, as demonstrated in the book of Acts. It highlights the Pentecost event where disciples, previously unable to witness, were filled with the Spirit and began speaking in other tongues, astonishing the crowd. The message emphasizes that true Christian service is God's work through individuals, not human effort alone, and that effective witnessing requires the Spirit's power, clear communication, and a message rooted in the listener's understanding, ultimately proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Christ. The sermon concludes by urging believers to embrace their role as witnesses, trusting that God uses ordinary people to accomplish His purposes.

ID 54236Mar 6, 1967

The continuing work of Christ through His Spirit in His disciples is the central theme, moving beyond the question of 'what Jesus would do' to 'what Jesus is doing.' The sermon highlights the event of Pentecost as a pivotal moment where the Holy Spirit was poured out, symbolized by wind and fire, enabling disciples to speak in other tongues and marking a new era in God's relationship with humanity. This outpouring made the value of Christ's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension a present reality for believers, transforming them into His multiplied presence in the world. The message concludes by emphasizing that Pentecost is not merely a historical event but an ongoing empowerment for believers to continue Christ's work, with the limitations lying not in Christ's resources but in the church's faithfulness.

ID 54235Mar 18, 1983

The God of Moses, emphasizing that the divine power and purpose are at work even before individuals are recognized. Moses' life, from his miraculous preservation as an infant to his upbringing in Pharaoh's court and subsequent exile, illustrates God's sovereign hand preparing him for leadership. Despite Moses' own doubts and failures, God's faithfulness and power are shown to be the ultimate force in delivering His people from slavery. The core lesson is that God goes before His people, equipping and empowering them to fulfill His purposes, urging listeners to trust in His leading and be teachable instruments of His will.

ID 54234Mar 17, 1983

The God of Jacob reveals God's persistent grace and transformative power in the lives of flawed individuals. The sermon traces Jacob's journey from a deceitful schemer to a prince with God, highlighting God's unconditional promises made at Bethel (Genesis 28) despite Jacob's character. It illustrates God's patient education of Jacob through trials, such as his deception by Laban (Genesis 29), and his wrestling match that led to a name change and surrender (Genesis 32). The core lesson is that God's faithfulness and purpose will prevail in our lives, even when we are imperfect, leading to eventual fruitfulness and blessing.

ID 54231Mar 16, 1983

The God of Isaac is presented as the God of receiving, contrasting with the God of Abraham who is the God of trusting obedience. While Abraham was an originator and pioneer, Isaac lived a life of submission, exemplified by his willingness to be sacrificed, his passive acceptance of his marriage, and his response to the Canaanites taking his wells. The sermon highlights that Isaac's blessings were not earned but inherited, emphasizing that God's provision and grace are freely given, not worked for. The core lesson is that true Christianity involves receiving God's gifts, such as salvation and victory, through faith and allowing God's new nature to operate, rather than striving to earn them.

ID 54193Mar 15, 1983

The God of Abraham is revealed through his personal and unique experiences with God, not through generalizations. Jesus highlights this by stating, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," emphasizing individual encounters. Abraham's journey began with God's call to leave his homeland, an act of faith and obedience despite not knowing the destination. This obedience, even amidst subsequent trials like famine and family disputes, demonstrates that God's promises are foundational, and absolute trust in Him is paramount, as exemplified by the ultimate test of offering Isaac. The sermon concludes that the God of Abraham desires complete trust, not just in His gifts, but in Him as a loving Father who always knows the right way.

ID 54192Mar 14, 1969

The Lord Jesus standing by Paul in his moment of deepest discouragement after a tumultuous day in Jerusalem. It highlights that Paul's perceived failure to convert the city was not the measure of his success; rather, his obedience in testifying about Christ was. The core lesson is that God's assessment of our service is based on our faithfulness to our given assignments, not on outward results or personal feelings of success. The message concludes by encouraging listeners to identify their God-given assignments, particularly witnessing, and to trust that the Lord will stand by them and fulfill His purposes, just as He did for Paul.

ID 54191Mar 14, 1969

The life of Christ continues to be lived out through His people, as demonstrated in the Book of Acts. While the Gospels record Jesus' earthly ministry, Acts reveals how His life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, operates within believers. This transition signifies Jesus no longer being limited to a physical presence but indwelling His followers, enabling them to manifest His life and work. The sermon emphasizes that this divine life within believers is not a mere imitation but a genuine expression of Christ, urging against ritualistic adherence to outward forms and instead focusing on the essential principles of His life. It highlights the church's origin, nature as sons of God, and its function to reveal Christ's life to the world, while cautioning against perils like prejudice, lack of confidence in the Spirit, carnal passion, and pride, all of which hinder the manifestation of Christ's glory.

ID 54186Mar 13, 1969

The transformative power of Jesus' presence, particularly in unexpected moments, using the disciples' encounter with the resurrected Christ as a prime example. It recounts various instances of Jesus' ministry, from calling Matthew to healing the woman with an issue of blood, highlighting His willingness to bring joy and fulfillment. The core lesson is that Jesus' arrival, even when not anticipated, changes everything, turning sorrow into singing and bondage into freedom. The message concludes by emphasizing that Jesus continues to come to His people through His Spirit and will return again, bringing ultimate gladness and fulfillment.

ID 54178Mar 12, 1969

Jesus demonstrates his profound sensitivity to human sorrow and his eager response to suffering through the story of Jairus's daughter and the woman with an issue of blood. The sermon details Jairus's desperate plea for his dying daughter and the woman's quiet, persistent faith that led her to touch Jesus's garment, resulting in her healing. The core lesson is that Jesus understands and is moved by human pain, offering peace and healing to those who believe. The message concludes by applying this truth to personal suffering, assuring listeners that even when circumstances don't change as desired, Jesus's compassion and wisdom ensure what is best is being done.

ID 54175Mar 12, 1969

Jesus's walking on water demonstrates God's provision for holy living and His power over impossible circumstances. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus went to pray alone while His disciples struggled in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. When they saw Jesus walking on the water, they feared He was a spirit, but He calmed them, and Peter, emboldened, asked to walk to Jesus, sinking when he doubted but being saved by Jesus. The sermon concludes that when believers obey God and face contrary winds and fear, Jesus comes to their aid, enabling them to accomplish His will and leading others to recognize His divine power.

ID 54164Mar 11, 1969

The episode of the man born blind in John chapter nine illustrates that suffering is not always a direct result of sin, challenging the disciples' assumption that personal or parental sin caused the man's condition. Jesus redirects the focus from speculative questions about the cause of suffering to the purpose of God's work, stating, "we must work the works of him that sent me." The core lesson is that instead of debating the reasons for suffering, believers are called to actively alleviate it and bring God's light to those in darkness, mirroring Christ's mission to heal and deliver. The sermon concludes by emphasizing obedience to God's commands as the path to experiencing His blessings and urges listeners to prioritize action over endless discussion.

ID 54150Mar 10, 1969

Jesus feeding the five thousand, highlighting God's providence and ordering of life's details. It emphasizes that even a small offering, like the boy's five loaves and two fish, can be used by God for His purposes when brought to Him. The message stresses that fulfilling God's will, rather than achieving personal greatness, is paramount, and this is accomplished through association with Jesus, the willing transfer of one's life to Him, and His acceptance and multiplication of what is offered. Ultimately, the sermon illustrates that God's power transforms ordinary gifts into extraordinary provision, satisfying the needs of others and glorifying Him.

ID 54149Mar 9, 1969

Jesus encounters a man at the pool of Bethesda who has been an invalid for thirty-eight years, illustrating that healing and transformation require a willing heart and submission to Christ's command. The sermon highlights Jesus' question, "Wilt thou be made whole?" as a recognition of the human will's importance, emphasizing that Christ will not force his help but waits for our willingness. The narrative then shows the man's obedience to Jesus' command to "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk," demonstrating that true healing comes not from human effort or circumstance but from Christ's power and our submission to His word. The message concludes by urging listeners to arise in Christ's strength, face the impossible things in their lives, and live in obedience, free from the things that have previously mastered them, as exemplified by Jesus' later encounter with the man where he is told to "sin no more."

ID 54148Mar 9, 1969

Jesus' encounter with Matthew, a tax collector, illustrates the transformative power of his call. The sermon highlights Matthew's humble yet profound response to Jesus' invitation to "Follow me," emphasizing that this seemingly simple act led to a life-altering change. It underscores that Jesus seeks out those who long for him, regardless of their social standing or past, and that he sees potential where others see none. The core lesson is that Jesus comes to those who are sick and in need of a physician, offering redemption and purpose to the unlikely and the outcast, ultimately enabling them to become instruments for his kingdom.

ID 53099Mar 13, 1969

Jesus' healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath demonstrates that true Sabbath observance involves acts of compassion and liberation, not mere ritual. The Pharisees' focus on legalistic observance, contrasted with Jesus' compassionate action, highlights the difference between outward compliance and inward transformation. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus confronts individuals with their deepest paralysis, calling them to obedience and faith, which then unlocks divine resources for healing and wholeness. Ultimately, the passage calls believers to recognize their own spiritual needs and to obey Christ's commands, thereby experiencing His power and fulfilling God's will.